Seam-dampening machine.



H. C. MILLER. sum DAMPENING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 1UN I7, 1907.

Patented June 6,1916.

' 3 SHEETS-SHEET l- .9] Z9 2.5 mg. 7. i 96 1.5 27

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Tm: LDLUMBIA PLANOKZRAPH co.. WASHINGTON, n. c.

H. C. MILLER. SEAM DAMPENING'MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 11, 1907.

Patented J and 6, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TH! COLUMBIA FLANOORAPH c0., WASHIMMON. n.

H. c. MILLER. SEAM DAMPENING MACHINE;

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 17, 1907.

Patented June 6, 1916;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 3 140211 fax UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. MILLER, OF WATERFORD, NEW YORK.

SEAM-DAMPENING MACHINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY O. MILLER, citizen of the United States, residing at l/Vaterford, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seam- Dampening Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in seam dampening machines, and is directed particularly to the means employed for throwing the tabs of collars out of the path of movement of the moistening fluid, and the mechanism employed for guiding the seam in proximity with the dampening element.

The invention also relates to improvements in the means employed for maintaining an equal distribution of fluid to the dampening means.

The invention also comprehends improvements in the particular arrangement of parts, the structure and operation of which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In my Patents Numbers 972,124, dated Oct. 4., 1910, and 972,125, dated Oct.4, 1910,

relating to seam dampening machines, Ihave shown and described means for dampening the seam line of collars, in combination with means for throwing the tabs away from the dampening means.

In the construction shown the dampening elements and the tab throw-out devices are independent of each other; however I have found a dampeningelement may be used to accomplish the dual functions; to wit, dampen the seam line, and automatically throw the collar tabs out of the path of the dampening fluid.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved seam dampener. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view, the reservoir being shown in dotted lines, and the bed or support broken away. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a collar being dam pened. Fig. 5 is a similar view, the end of the collar having been reached, and the dampening element lowered to throw the tab out of the path of the dampening fluid. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of my invention showing its use in connection with a platform, having a guide for the operators hand to conveniently draw the collar. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the applica- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 17, 1907.

Patented June 6, 1916.

Serial No. 379,487. 7

tion of the invention to dampen both sides of a collar. Fig. 8 is a plan view of a different form of guiding element.

The numeral 1, indicates a bed or support, provided with an extension or overhanging arm 2. To the underside of. the bed 1, is adjustably secured a casting 3, formed in its base portion with a slot 4, and at one end with an extension 5, from which extends a stub shaft 6, carrying a revolving friction guide 7. A bolt 9, passes through the slot 4, to the bed, Wherebythe relative position of the guide 7, may be changed. Normally the guide is set at an angle to the path of movement of the collar, as clearly shown-in Fig. 4, the object of which will be hereinafter referred to.

- A dampening element, in the instance shown in the drawing is in the form of a tube, or pen'll, the lower end of which is normally in contact with the guide, or at least approximately so. The pen is rigidly connected to the outer end of a fiat spring 12, secured to a boss 13, on the bed 1. The tension of this spring 12, is regulated by a set screw.13 passing through a boss on 4 the arm 2, and bearing on said spring. A set nut 14, may be employed to rigidly hold the set screw 13 in position after it has been adjusted.

A reservoir 15, is mounted on top of the arm 2, and it is connected to the pen by a flexible tube 16. The supply of fluid passing from the reservoir to the pen is automatically controlled by the passing of a collar being dampened. -This action is accomplished by mechanism comprising a crank lever 17, pivoted at 18, and having an extension 19, to which a spring 20, is attached to throw the arm 21, of the said lever down on the end 21*, of the spring 12. The upper arm 22, of the crank lever 17, has a forked end 23, between which and a boss 24 on the arm 2, the tube 16, passes, and is adapted to be clamped, when the pen is in normal position.

i The reservoir 15, comprises outer and inner shells 25, and 26, the former being open at the top. The shell 26, is substantially closed at its ends, save a small opening 27, and it is provided with an interior depending hollow extension 28. A valve rod 29, having a valve 30, operates in the opening 27 its lower end projecting below the bottom of the shell26, and a spring 31,

and the top of the shell 26, and serves to force the valve toward the opening 27, when the shell 26, is removed from shell 25.

A latch conventionally shown at 34, locks the two shells together, to prevent accidental displacement. The latch also prevents the spring 31 forcing the inner shell upwardly which would close the valve, and render the apparatus inoperative.

Vvhen the inner shell is removed from the outer shell, the spring forces the valve toward opening 2'7, and closes it. To fill the shell the valve is pressed inwardly slightly by the end of the spout of a can or the like, and when the latter is removed the valve is immediately seated so that when the said shell is inverted the fluid can not run out. \Vhen the shell 26, is filled it is placed in the shell 25, and the end of the rod 29, contacts with the bottom of the said shell 25 and forces the valve from the opening 27, and allows the fluid to flow into the lower portion of the outer shell, and thence through the flexible tube to the pen.

In Fig. 6, 50 represents a platform, having upwardly extending sides 50*, to provide a hopper like structure, and a cut away portion to receive the. dampening means. The platform projects outwardly at an angle to the cut away portion, as at 52, and to its inner edge is secured a guiding plate 53,'having a short upstanding flange at its outer edge which forms a guide for the hand of the operator when dampening collars. This guide is preferably adjustable, and is pivotally mounted at one end at 54, and at its opposite end. is a slot 55, through which a bolt 56, passes to hold the guide in fixed position.

The guide 7, and its mounting are the same as before described, but the arrange-- ment of the dampening element and the spring 12, are somewhat diflerent. The spring 12*, is pointed at its outer end where it rests on the periphery of the guide 7, and extends a trifle over the same, to act on the edge of acollar seam. The pen 11, is rigidly secured to the spring 12, and operates in the same manner as previously described, except that the pen point does not act as a tab guide. But as the point of the spring 12 acts in. this capacity, and as it is rigidly connected to and moves with the pen, the collar tab will be thrown out of the path of the moistener.

In operation the operator places the collar with the right hand between the pen and the friction disk, the seam a bearing against the pen, and with the left hand grasps the tab of the collar and pulls it through the hand being guided by the edge 53. As the front end of the collar is inserted under the pen, it raises the pen sufliciently to rock the crank lever 17, which relieves pressure on the tube and permits the fluid to flow to the upper surface of the collar. The collar is drawn between the pen and the guide on approximately the line 0, (Figs. f and. 5). The function of this arrangement of parts is to insure of the collar seam being at all times drawn against the point of the pen. As the collar is drawn forward and the guide is revolved the latter tends to force said collar laterally toward the pen, and thereby insures a dampened line along the entire seam. When the end 6, of the collar is reached, the spring forces the pen downwardly from the upper collar surface into the crotch formed between the end- 6, and the rear tab and throws the latter out of the path of the said pen. lVhen the pendrops under theinfluence of its spring, the

valve automatically shuts off the fluid, and i the supply of the latter between the pen and the valve is suspended by'the formation of a vacuum. This prevents the fluid leaking after a collar has passed, and at the same time, immediately a collar is introduced there is supply of fluid suflicient to commence the dampening operation.

From the foregoing description it is apparent, I can successfully employ a dampening element in a dual capacity, and thereby greatly reduce the cost of the machine, as well as the number of parts.

The upper edge of the guide is located slightly above the upper surface of the bed 1 to relieve undue friction between the collar and the bed, to enable the disk to act positively to force the collar laterally.

A valve 50, may also be employed to manually regulate the flow of the fluid, and

to positively shut it off when the machine is not in use.

I may use an angularly disposed guide in lieu of the guide, and thereby obtain sub stantially the same result. This construction is shown in Fig. 8, the stationary angularly disposed guide being located in the same relative position in the path of movement of the collar, so that as said collar is drawn over the angular surface, the latter tends to force the seam over toward the pen. The guide therefore tends to keep the collar seam against the pen in the same manner as the revolving guide, but obviously the'latter' construction reduces the friction to a considerable extent, and therefore is preferable.

The purpose of employing the particular form of reservoir described is to insure a uniform supply of fluid to the pen. I have found by experience a simple tank connected to the dampening element does not distribute the same amount of fluid to a collar, ow ing to the weight of the fluid, according to the supply in the tank. lVith the construc tion described, the stream of fluid is uniform irrespective of the amount in the reservoir, so that the collar is positively dampened uniformly throughout its entire length.

pening fluid.

A tank may be located under the platform 1, directly under a rotating guide 7. The tank contains dampening fluid, in which the rotating guide passes. hen a collar is passed between the pen 11, and the rotating guide 7, the latter acts to move the collar laterally to cause the seam to follow closely the pen, in substantially the same manner heretofore described. As the guide rotates the periphery is moistened by the fluid, which dampens the underside of the collar, the pen dampening the upper side of the collar in the same manner previously described. This construction will effectually dampen both sides of the collar, which is advantageous where the collar is made up of a number of plies.

What I claim is:

1. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, and means for causing the dampening element to operate to cause the collar tab to be guided out of line of the dampening fluid.

2. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, movable means for guiding a collar seam against the dampening element when a collar is being dampened, and means for operating the dampening ele ment to cause a collar tab to be guided out of the path of the dampening fluid.

3. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, a rotating element located directly beneath the dampening element to form a passage through which a collar being dampened passes to guide the seam thereof against the dampening element, said rotating element being mounted at an angle to the line of travel of a collar being dampened.

4:. A seam dampening machine having a dampening pen, a revolving disk, having its highest point above the lower end of the pen and over which a collar being dampened passes to guide the seam thereof against the dampening element, said revolving disk be ing mounted at an angle to the line of travel of a collar being dampened.

5. A seam dampening machine, having a dampening element, a revolving element to guide the seam of a collar being dampened against the dampening element, said revolving element being disposed at an angle to the line of travel of a collar being dampened, and means for causing the dampening element to guide a collar tab out of the path of the dampening fluid.

6. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, means for causing the seam of a collar to be positioned adjacent the dampening element when said collar is moved to dampen it and automatic means for causing the dampening element to guide the collar tab out of the path of the dam- 7. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, means for causing a collar while being dampened to be moved to guide the seam against the dampening element, said means being at an angle to the line of travel of the collar being dampened a. spring 'to force the dampening element toward the angular-1y disposed guide, and means for regulating the tension of the spring. 7

8. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, a spring connected to the dampening element, means for regulating the tension of the spring, and meansfor causing the seam of a collar to be moved against the dampening element, the spring causing the dampening element to drop from the end of a collar to guide the tab thereof out of the path of the dampening fluid. 7

9. A seam dampening machine having a yielding dampening element, and means for causing the yielding dampening element to guide the collar tab out ofthe path of the dampening fluid.

10. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, a supply conduit connected to the dampening element, means actuated by the dampening element for regulating the flow of liquid through. the conduit, and means for causing the dampening element to guide the collar tab out of the path of the dampening fluid.

11. A seam dampener, comprising a platform, dampening means, a hand-guide, and a collar guide to direct the seam of a collar while being dampened adjacent the dampening means, the collar guide being arranged at an angle to the line of travel of a collar being dampened and also at an angle to the seam of said collar.

12. A seam dampening machine having a dampening element, a supply conduit connected to the dampening element, means actuated by the dampening element for regulating the flow of liquid through the conduit, and an angularly disposed movable element operated by the collar passing over it for guiding the collar seam against the dampening element.

13. In a seam dampening machine, the

combination with a dampening element, an

element angularly disposed with relation to the line of travel of a collar being dampened and cooperating with the dampening element, the pulling of a collar between .the dampening element and the angularly disposed element causing the latter to be moved to move a collar seam in contact with the dampening element, said dampening element being positioned to throw the tab of the dcollar out of the line of the dampening flui 14. In a seam dampening machine, the combination with a dampening element, an element cooperating with the dampening element, said element being angularly disposed with relation to the line of travel of a collar being dampened, the pulling of a collar between the dampening element and the angularly disposed element causing the latter to be moved to move a collar seam in contact with the dampening element, and means for causing the dampening element to guide the collar tab out of the path of the fluid after the body portion of the collar has passed the dampening point.

15. A. seam dampener, comprising a platform, dampening means, and a guide extending above the platform and between which and the dampening means the collar passes, the edge of said guide being an gularly disposed to the line of travel of a collar being dampened, to direct the collar seam against the dampening means.

16. A seam dampener comprising a platform, dampening means, a guide located opposite the dampening means, the collar passing between the guide and dampening means, said guide extending above the platform and curved where the collar passes over it, and being angularly disposed to the line of travel of the collar being dampened, the end of the dampening means being below the highest point of the curved edge of the angularly disposed guide.

17. A seam dampener, comprising means for dampening the upper and lower surfaces of a collar, one of said dampening means being angularly disposed to the line of travel of a collar being dampened and acting as a guide to direct a collar seam into position to be dampened.

18. A seam dampener comprising a platform, dampening means, means for guiding a collar being dampened adjacent the dam pening means, and an adjustable hand guide to direct the manual pull of a collar while it is being dampened.

19. Aseam dampener, comprising a platform, dampening means, a guide disposed at an angle to'the path of movement of a collar being dampened and which engages one face of said collar to force its seam against the dampening means, and a hand guide located in advance of the angularly disposed guide for the operators hand to engage when drawing the front end of the collar from between the dampening means and the angularly disposed. guide.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

HENRY C. MILLER. Witnesses S. C. BULL, HENRY L. LUGIEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained. for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner af Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

